9 Splurges for the Forgotten Person on Your Holiday Gift List (AKA You)

Each year the average American spends 15 hours shopping for holiday presents, according to those who track such things. This means, of course, that for a few weeks on the calendar, for most of us shopping is the equivalent of a second job (albeit one that we pay to work rather than it paying us).

And since we’ve already turned full-blown workaholic in hunting down — and finding! — presents for everyone on our list, we thought: why not reward ourselves with an indulgence or two?

With this in mind, we shopped out 9 mega-splurge fantasy items as well as mini-splurge equivalents that are just as indulgent but with a slightly weaker kick to the pocketbook.

After weeks trawling the mall (both virtual and brick-and-mortar) we’re feeling more than ready to lounge around the house in some silk pajamas, maybe surrounded by a bunch of caramels and a nice extra-large bottle of wine. This pair of PJs by Agent Provocateur feels 100% indulgent — and it has a mega-splurge price tag to match. Click through at the second shopping button below for a pair that’s equally pretty but half the cost — a bargain, right?

When we learned that this $2095 mega-jar of Creme de la Mer existed, we felt a little bit sad that we didn’t have an extra couple grand lying around to slather on our face. But then we saw we could get a mini-splurge version of the world's finest face cream for $85 and it felt like a steal.

This birdcage candle serves no purpose other than sitting there looking pretty and wafting off a champagne scent — which is precisely why we love it so much. While you’ll need your own scented candle if you choose its mini-splurge twin at the second shopping button below, its birdcage frame is just as delightful (but a fifth of the price).

It’s winter. Well, it’s almost winter ... and it certainly feels like winter. The opposite of this frosty season: a rose-filled garden, which is exactly what this fragrance smells like. And whether you choose to go the mini- or mega-splurge route, you’ll feel just as transported.  

We’d rate this bird-topped mascara as a pretty affordable mega-splurge as far as mega-splurges go, ringing up at $24 and creating lovely, feathery lashes. L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara (second image below) might not look like it’s the same species based on its gilded tube, but the lashes it creates prove otherwise.

If you are still using the free-gift keychain that came with the last car you drove off the lot, go ahead and trade up to a luxury version that will probably bring you a tiny bit of aesthetic pleasure when you pull it from your bag a minimum two, probably four times a day. If Altuzarra’s option seems more than a little over the top, shop Cuyana’s tassel key at $55 at the second button below.

Aww, poor you, you’ve found scarves for everyone else on your list yet you are still running around with a cold neck. $125-worth of baby alpaca will keep you warm. $65 worth of cashmere will too.

We almost don’t care that this holiday iteration of Guerlain’s classic tube holds the smoothest lipstick formula in the most gorgeous hues — its black-and-gold case is that pretty. If $55 feels steep, shop Besame’s just as lovely vintage red for $22 at the mini-splurge button below.

We don’t have to tell you that Givenchy’s blush tote will go with everything you own. We also don’t have to tell you that you might have to sell everything you own to buy it. Botkier’s pretty take is just as elegant, but for under $300.